Itanagar Apr 25 PTI Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Monday inaugurated a satellite centre of IIM Shillong at Tawang in Arunachal PradeshThe initiative will help build the capacity of administrative officers of the state especially in management skills and necessary policy interventions an official release saidChief Minister Pema Khandu was present at the programmeThe satellite centre is a result of a memorandum of understanding MoU signed by the Arunachal Pradesh government and the Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Centre for Policy Research Analysis IIM ShillongSpeaking from New Delhi Pradhan congratulated IIM Shillong and the Arunachal Pradesh government and termed the occasion historicIt is not a simple inaugural ceremony but a big step towards professionalism in governance and public delivery the statement saidWith the expertise of a reputed institution like IIM Shillong capacity building of administrative officers will pave the way in successful governance which is the objective of the government he saidPradhan stated that the centre in the long run will become a hub of learning and gaining skills that will eventually turn job seekers into job giversHe assured officials of visiting Arunachal Pradesh soon so that he can sit with Khandu and chalk out a definite roadmap for an Arunachal Pradesh of the 21st centuryKhandu in his address expressed optimism that IIM Shillong will provide critical managerial interventions to help the state government in implementing its flagship projects as policymakers and administrators will be trained to improve efficiency and leadership skillsThrough this collaboration we also expect training and entrepreneurship development programme to promote startup ecosystem in the state As a think tank to the government of Arunachal Pradesh I am sure that IIM Shillong will provide quality inputs for a more inclusive sustainable development in the state he saidKhandu said the centre will now function from a temporary set-up in Tawang but a permanent campus and building will come up soonBoth the MLAs of the district have been asked to collaborate with the local administration to provide the centre with a permanent campusThe chief minister also suggested that in the future the centre can also provide capacity building and training to officers of the Indian Army paramilitary forces and central government agencies to enhance their skills in working in Arunachal PradeshThis is a first-of-its-kind collaboration between IIM Shillong and any state government in the northeastThis holistic approach to development will inspire other states to tap into the expert advice offered by IIM Shillong which will collaborate with Arunachal Pradesh officials in developing policies and a roadmap for handloom horticulture tourism logistics and BPO sectorsThe first training for deputy commissioners for five days began on Monday the release added PTI UPL BDC BDC

Itanagar Apr 24 PTI Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Sunday said his state can learn from the success stories of tourism organic farming education and health sectors of SikkimBoth Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh hold promises in agriculture horticulture hydropower and sports sectors Khandu said We believe that with common efforts shared knowledge and active cooperation between the two states we can bring prosperity and happiness a statement issued by the Chief Ministers Office CMO quoted Khandu as sayingHosting the first cultural exchange programme between the two states in the presence of respective chief ministers at Dirang in West Kameng district Khandu expressed hope that the Sikkim government will collaborate with Arunachal Pradesh for sustainable and mutual developmentHe said Ladakh should be included in such programmes in the future citing cultural similarities between the people of Ladakh Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh Welcoming his Sikkim counterpart Prem Singh Tamang the Arunachal Pradesh chief minister said considering the long historical relationship between Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh we should strengthen this bond by increasing the exchange of ideas and the rich culture and traditions that both our states share As Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim are treasure houses of folklore folk songs traditional medicine spiritual healing systems innate knowledge of mountains rivers topography and medicinal plants Khandu advocated holding such regular cultural exchange programmes Asserting that Arunachal Pradesh has witnessed a sea change in the last few decades in terms of both material and human resource development Khandu emphasised the need to strengthen the bond between Northeastern states on issues like preservation of the ecosystem cultural trade tourism and harnessing of human capital To bring about mountain perspective in the national and sub-national planning and policymaking we hope to collaborate with the government of Sikkim to address our common developmental issues and ensure mutual prosperity in our states the chief minister said On the occasion Khandu dedicated the newly constructed Gyalchen Karma Thrinley Tenne Monastery in the picturesque Sangti Valley to the people Union Minister for Law and Justice Kiren Rijiju was also presentThe programme was marked by performances by various cultural troupes from Arunachal Pradesh Sikkim and neighbouring country Bhutan PTI UPL MM MM

Itanagar (Arunachal Pradesh) [India], April 22 (ANI): Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu showed his dance moves during the celebration of the Assamese festival Bihu in Itanagar.

Itanagar Feb 22 PTI Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu Tuesday called upon tribal community members to preserve and practice indigenous rituals and festivals irrespective of their faith or religionAdorned in Nyishi traditional attire with matchet and headgear in place Khandu hailed the Nyishis for preserving and practicing their age-old customs and celebrating Nyokum with traditional rituals headed by local priests or NyibusKhandu was participating in the Golden Jubilee Nyokum celebrations at Seppa the headquarters of East Kameng districtFestivals like Nyokum and the rituals associated with it are the identity of the Nyishis Therefore all Nyishis including those following different religions must celebrate Nyokum and proudly preserve their identity which they are doing and my respects to them Khandu saidObserving that several persons were attending the festival in shirts and trousers Khandu appealed to them to wear their traditional attires at least during festivalsHe urged them to come dressed in traditional attires to the festival ground on February 26 the main day of the festival when Union Minister for Tribal Affairs Arjun Munda would be joining as chief guestThe chief minister also called upon youths studying in colleges and universities to lead from the front in preserving the indigenous culture of Arunachal PradeshThe state government he said is seriously working to promote and preserve the indigenous culture of the states 24 major tribes and more than 100 sub-tribes and cited the creation of an independent Department of Indigenous Affairs a couple of years backThis department is working in close coordination with community-based organisations civil societies and indigenous groups in making policies that would promote and preserve indigenous culture of all tribes of the state he saidReferring to his last visit to the district when he toured Chayang Tajo and Bameng constituencies travelling by road Khandu said that paper works have been completed for the reconstruction of the Seppa-Chayang Tajo and the Pakke-Bameng roadsVery soon construction works will begin My appeal to the people would be to let the executing agencies do their job unhindered Please do not raise hurdles he saidInforming that the literacy rate of the state has touched 82 per cent as per the latest reports Khandu however said the focus should be on quality education rather than on the number of literates PTI UPL MM MM

New Delhi [India], February 8 (ANI): External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar expressed his condolences over the loss of lives of Indian Army personnel due to an avalanche in Arunachal Pradesh.

New Delhi [India], February 8 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday condoled the demise of Indian Army personnel who lost their lives due to an avalanche in Arunachal Pradesh.

Tawang (Arunachal Pradesh) [India], February 4 (ANI): A 104 ft tall monumental national flag was hoisted by Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Thursday at an altitude of 10,000 feet at Ngangpa Natme (Buddha Park) at Tawang, a Buddhist pilgrim town bordering China.

Itanagar Jan 21 PTI Two days after Lok Sabha MP from Arunachal Pradesh Tapir Gao said that a teenager has been abducted by the Chinese Peoples Liberation Army PLA from Siyungla area of Upper Siang officials in the district said they have provided all information sought by higher authorities and were waiting for the 17-year-olds return Miram Taron a native of Zido village in the district was allegedly kidnapped on January 18 from a jungle in Siyungla area where he had gone hunting along with his friend Jhonny Yaying 27 Upper Siang DC Shaswat Saurabh stated Saurabh also said that he has found out from Yaying that it was almost dark when the Chinese soldiers surrounded them in Siyungla area near Bishing village While Yaying managed to escape Tarons whereabouts are yet to be established As the area of operation falls under the jurisdiction of the Indian Army the matter will be dealt with at a higher level We have given all information to the higher authorities Bishing is the last Indian village near the Sino-Indian border located along the left bank of Siang river The village is around 260 km from Yingkiong the district headquarters Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Thursday said the Ministry of External Affairs MEA has already initiated diplomatic talks with China to bring the youth home I am very optimistic that the boy will be released in a few days Khandu saidState Congress MLA and former union minister Ninong Ering has also appealed to the Centre to ensure the safe return of Taron We have nothing to do with China and both the ministries of external affairs and defence should take immediate and appropriate action so as to ensure that such incidents do not happen in the future Ering said The Chinas Foreign Ministry however on Thursday stated that it was not aware of any such incident while maintaining that the PLA controls the borders and cracks down on illegal entry and exit activities Meanwhile Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee APCC has asked the Centre to immediately come out with a proper mechanism to end the repeated abduction of state youths by the Chinese army China has always been a threat to our country especially to Arunachal Pradesh The BJP-led government at the Centre should stop giving verbal assurances and adopt a practical approach when it comes to ensuring the safety security and territorial integrity of Arunachal Pradesh APCC working president Bosiram Siram said In September 2020 five youths were allegedly abducted by the Chinese army from Sera-7 area of Nacho in Upper Subansiri district Nacho is the last administrative circle of the district along the McMahon Line The Indian Army had then sent a hotline message to its Chinese counterpart to which the latter had on September 8 responded and confirmed that the missing youths were found on their side The youths were handed over to the Indian Army a few days later Arunachal Pradesh shares a 1129-km-long border with China PTI UPL RMS RMS

Itanagar Dec 28 PTI Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu Tuesday expressed satisfaction over the progress of construction work of a greenfield airport at Hollongi near here despite challenges arising out of the Covid-19 pandemic Khandu who visited the site of the ambitious project 15 km from here told reporters that work on 1500 metres of the 2300 metre-long runway has been completed Earlier the completion target of the project the foundation of which was laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi was November 2022 which has been changed to August 2022 Once commissioned the airport will be the first in the state with a runway of 2300 metres suitable for the landing and take-off of Boeing 747 aircraft This is a dream project of the entire population of Arunachal Pradesh We need to thank the Central government for extending all-out support in fulfilling the dream We also need to appreciate all the agencies that are working day and night to meet the deadline despite hurdles he said Presently no airport exists in the vicinity of Itanagar the closest one being Lilabari Airport in Assam which is at a distance of 80 km from here Mentioning that a pre-fabricated terminal building would be in place by early next year Khandu said The building will be temporary while construction of a permanent building will continue Once the permanent structure is ready the temporary one will be utilised as cargo area The chief minister also said that keeping in view the possibilities of future expansion the government has acquired about 500 sq metres of land beyond the runway while the Kokila river that runs along the airport boundary is being diverted There are no external hurdles and work is going on smoothly The agencies are working on a few internal issues Khandu said Later the chief minister held an internal review meeting with all project stakeholders during which he was informed that the passenger terminal with an area of 4100 sq metres will be able to handle 200 passengers during peak hours While the acquisition of the required five acres of land on the Assam side shifting of 132 KV power grid line and diversion of Kokila river are going on about 74 per cent work has been done on building the four-lane approach road to the airport which would be completed by January 31 next The project executioners told the chief minister that ongoing works were affected due to the COVD-19 situation particularly during the second phase of the lockdown leading to non-availability of construction materials and machinery parts in nearby areas Work agencies could not maintain sufficient manpower at the project site at that time they said PTI UPL MM MM

Itanagar Dec 24 PTI Arunachal Pradesh Governor Brig Dr B D Mishra Retd and Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Friday extended their greetings to the people of the state on the eve of Christmas The governor expressed hope that the occasion of festivity would usher in peace and amity amongst the people Mishra said The auspicious occasion of Christmas the festival of love inspires all to lead the life of compassion piety and justice The true spirit of Christmas kindles us to help those in need and give hope to those in despair I wish that the occasion instils the spirit of kindness in every individual and community In his message the governor added that December 25 is also being observed as Good Governance Day commemorating the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee Good Governance is the key to a nations development and peoples progress Our central and the state governments are committed to providing a transparent and accountable administration and work for the welfare and betterment of the common man I trust this day along with its auspiciousness will motivate all to join in the mission of working unitedly for the prosperity of the state and the country he said Mishra called upon the government officials to have probity act with promptness make equal dispensation to one and all and constantly review their own course of work for improvement wherever necessary All government officials must live up to the expectations of the people on all counts he added Khandu in his message said that the joyous occasion of Christmas spreads the message of love harmony and peace beyond boundaries and religious affinitiesIt sure is a time to get showered with gifts and wishes but in midst of all the jubilations we should not forget the real spirit of Christmas X-mas is not only about fun and gifts but of love and generosity he said in his message Khandu called upon all irrespective of religious affiliations to remember all who in their own ways and capacities make the world a better place to live in but are least thanked This Christmas let us bring joy to others with an act of kindness he said The chief minister expressed faith that this Christmas celebration would open up the doors of wisdom and the enlightenment that peace and development go hand in handAs we celebrate the birthday of Lord Jesus Christ it is my fervent wish that every cup may overflow with blessings rich and eternal and that every path may lead to peace And we all move ahead hand-in-hand without a hitch towards development he added Khandu also wished everyone on the occasion of Good Governance Day PTI UPL RG RG